The Loch Ness Monster

by Sarah Hutchinson 

Belief in the Loch Ness Monster dates back nearly 1500 years, holding global fascination and drawing a large fan base even today as people continue to watch for the creature affectionately nicknamed “Nessie.” The belief, which has many variations, is that there is a large, elusive creature living in the murky depths of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Many theories have been given, including those that this creature may be a still-existing prehistoric animal such as a plesiosaur, an elephant squid, or a beast so unique that it has no comparison. There are Nessie believers spanning the globe, with many websites and Loch Ness watcher groups dedicated to proving in the monster’s existence. Nessie has been featured in countless newspaper articles, as well, and several documentaries have been made featuring the search for the truth.

Believers use mainly the sheer volume of reported sightings as the main evidence for the validity of their case. Averaging 20 sightings per year since the 1960s, and dating back hundreds of years in stories, legends, and accounts, it is a staggering amount of attention that has been paid to this particular area. Some of the most convincing comes from the Picts, a tribe that occupied the Highlands in the 1st century A.D. Known for their love of animals and attention to detail when representing them, they are responsible for stone carvings in the area. All of their carvings are of recognizable animals, except on, which represents a strange creature resembling our current image of the monster. On the other hand, critics often cite the lack of concrete evidence as proof that the creature does not exist. Of the many photos submitted of the monster, all can be explained a way as an ordinary object mistaken for the legend or a hoax. If fact, there have been many altered photos of the creature, severely discrediting the reputations of Nessie believers, and the most iconic photo of the Loch Ness Monster, submitted by R. Kenneth Wilson, a respected surgeon, was proven to be a hoax in the 90s. Even footprints have been faked using a hippopotamus foot. Another factor both for and against the claim is the ecology of the loch itself. Large and murky, the body of water is hard to explore and offers low visibility. Despite sonar explorations, other than a few more enhanced photographs and ambiguous sonar readings, nothing has ever been found searching the loch. However, one could also argue that it would be quite easy to conceal the beast in those conditions.

The main cognitive contribution to this belief is pareidolia. Defined as seeing patterns in random data, pareidolia is a way to describe the phenomenon of misinterpreting a log as a monster floating in the water. Often perception can be distorted, especially if the loch is giving off steam on a cold day or if the water is choppy, and pre-existing beliefs or ideas, such as the concept of the monster lurking in the water, can affect how one’s brain interprets the data it is taking in. In poor conditions or if one is not paying close enough attention, a swimming animal, floating debris, or another unexpected object can look like the hump of a sea serpent.

Cultural aspects of the legend of the Loch Ness Monster make it unlikely that the legend will ever completely die. Because the legend has been around for so long, it has become permanently tied to Loch Ness, and Scotland in general. It is tied to the culture and is an important part of the area’s history. Because of this, it is likely that sightings will continue to be reported as a result of pareidolia and a persisting belief in the monster. Furthermore, Nessie believers often come from respected communities, such as doctors or engineers, giving more perceived weight to their testimonials. These people are fascinated with the idea of a mystery to be uncovered, which is half the fun of a belief of this type. Because of this, despite a lack of concrete evidence, their insistence that it is possible that the Loch Ness Monster exists isn’t likely to be dampened.

Overall, the legend of the Loch Ness Monster is a fun one. It offers little harm to society and a lot of intrigue to a large body of water, and while it has sparked a lot of debate, it remains somewhat of a cultural icon. It is an interesting example of folklore brought into the modern era, and of the effects of storytelling on the mind. Sightings will continue to take place, and so will hoaxes; the question is whether Loch Ness really does have uncovered secrets in its depths.

Websites Used in Research:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/41997932/2017-has-been-a-record-year-for-sightings-ofthe-loch-ness-monster

https://www.history.com/topics/loch-ness-monster

http://www.visitinvernesslochness.com/explore/myths-and-legends.aspx

http://www.nessie.co.uk

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/tetrapod-zoology/photos-of-the-loch-ness-monster-revisited/

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/04/google-joins-the-search-for-the-lochness-monster/390906/

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/legend-loch-ness.html